Megatower GX AXS

Santa Cruz’s second-generation Megatower is a dedicated 29-inch enduro race bike built to manage high speeds and steep, demanding terrain. Moving away from the slightly more versatile trail-bike overlap of its predecessor, this iteration is a pure gravity-focused machine. It utilizes the brand’s lower-link-driven VPP suspension to deliver 165mm of rear travel, paired with a 170mm fork. The chassis introduces a modernized layout featuring the Glovebox, a downtube storage hatch for carrying tools and spares internally. Designed for riders who prioritize descending stability and bottom-out resistance, the Megatower requires aggressive input and momentum to reach its potential. It is a substantial, purpose-built tool for enduro racers and bike park regulars who need a chassis capable of absorbing massive impacts without losing composure.

$7,249Carbon CGen Megatower 2

Build

Size

Stack	625mm
Reach	455mm
Top tube	594mm
Headtube length	100mm
Standover height	716mm
Seat tube length	405mm

Fit and geometry

The Megatower’s geometry is optimized for stability and a centered rider weight distribution. A key update for this generation is the implementation of size-specific chainstays, which grow proportionally with the reach across the size run. This ensures that riders of varying heights experience the same balanced posture, keeping the front wheel weighted without requiring extreme body shifts.

A steep seat tube angle, hovering around 77.5 degrees depending on the size, places the rider in an upright, efficient pedaling position that prevents the front end from wandering on steep climbs. Up front, the slack 63.5-degree head tube angle pushes the front wheel far ahead, prioritizing high-speed tracking over low-speed agility. A flip-chip in the lower link allows for minor adjustments, altering the head and seat angles by a fraction of a degree and shifting the bottom bracket height slightly. In the lower setting, riders report feeling positioned deeply inside the bike rather than perched on top of it, enhancing cornering grip and overall control on steep gradients.

Full specs

Frameset

Frame

Santa Cruz Megatower Carbon C frame, VPP suspension, 170mm travel, 29in wheel, 73mm threaded BB shell

Fork

FOX 38 Float Performance Elite, GRIP X2, 170mm -or- RockShox ZEB Select+, 170mm (44mm offset)

Rear shock

Fox Float X Performance Elite, 230x65 (stroke listed as 62.5mm or 65mm)

Weight

35.08 lb / 15.91 kg

Groupset

Shift levers

SRAM AXS Pod Bridge (right)

Rear derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle AXS T-Type, 12-speed

Cassette

SRAM GX Eagle T-Type, 10-52T

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle T-Type Flattop, 12-speed

Crankset

SRAM GX Eagle DUB T-Type crankset, 32T (max chainring size 36T)

Bottom bracket

SRAM DUB 73mm MTB Wide bottom bracket

Front brake

SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth

Rear brake

SRAM Maven Bronze Stealth

Front rotor

SRAM HS2 200mm

Rear rotor

SRAM HS2 200mm

Wheelset

Front wheel

Reserve 30|SL AL 6069 -or- Race Face ARC 30; DT Swiss 370, 15x110, 6-bolt, 28h

Rear wheel

Reserve 30|HD AL 6069 -or- Race Face ARC 30 HD; DT Swiss 370, 12x148, XD, 6-bolt, 36t, 32h

Front tire

Maxxis Assegai 29x2.5, 3C MaxxGrip, EXO+

Rear tire

Maxxis Minion DHR II 29x2.4, 3C MaxxTerra, DoubleDown

Cockpit

Stem

Burgtec Enduro MK3, 42mm

Handlebars

Santa Cruz 35 Carbon Bar, 800mm

Saddle

SDG Bel-Air V3, Lux-Alloy Atmos

Seatpost

OneUp Dropper Post, 31.6mm

Grips

Santa Cruz Bicycles House Grips

Builds

Santa Cruz splits the Megatower lineup across two carbon frame tiers: the standard C carbon and the lighter, premium CC carbon. The build ladder starts at a high entry price, reflecting the bike's positioning as a premium enduro machine.

The entry-level 90 build utilizes the C frame, pairing a Fox Float Performance fork and shock with a SRAM 90 Eagle transmission and SRAM Maven Base brakes. Stepping up to the GX AXS build retains the C frame but upgrades the suspension to Fox Performance Elite dampers and introduces SRAM's wireless GX AXS drivetrain alongside Maven Bronze brakes.

The top two builds move to the lighter CC carbon frame and feature Fox Factory Elite suspension. The X0 AXS build includes a SRAM X0 Eagle transmission and Maven Silver brakes, rolling on aluminum rims laced to Industry Nine hubs. The flagship X0 AXS RSV build shares this exact drivetrain and braking specification but upgrades the rolling stock to Santa Cruz’s proprietary Reserve carbon wheels. Across all builds, Santa Cruz specs aggressive Maxxis tires, typically pairing an Assegai up front with a Minion DHR II in the rear.

$6,099

Carbon C

GX AXS

$7,249

Carbon CSelected

X0 AXS

$8,699

Carbon CC

X0 AXS RSV

$9,749

Carbon CC

Reviews

Critics generally agree that the Megatower is a highly capable descender that rewards an aggressive riding style, though it requires momentum to truly wake up. At lower speeds, the handling can feel sluggish, but once pointed down a steep grade, the bike stabilizes and tracks predictably. Testers frequently praised the revised suspension kinematics for providing excellent mid-stroke support and bottom-out resistance.

There is a notable split among reviewers regarding the bike's compliance over high-frequency trail noise. While some testers found the suspension highly sensitive, others noted that the stiff carbon chassis transmits feedback on rough, chattery sections. One reviewer observed that the bike "skims through the chatter" (BikeRadar) rather than completely isolating the rider, which can lead to fatigue on long descents. Another tester highlighted this rigid character, noting a "chargey, easy-to-push feel" (Pinkbike) that occasionally translates to harshness.

Despite the stiff frame, the bike remains highly maneuverable when pushed hard. Reviewers found it easy to break the rear wheel loose intentionally, giving it a "slappy feel in the corners" (Pinkbike) that adds a layer of agility to an otherwise steadfast platform. Climbing is widely considered efficient for the category, with the VPP platform offering a "calm, planted feeling" (Blisterreview) that maintains traction over technical uphill roots and rocks.